Catalogue of Ship Models

Our October lecture was given by Emily Malcolm, Curator at Riverside Museum, on thecatalogue of ship models currently in preparation.The collection was established in the 1870s and has  ship models dating from the time of the Napoleonic wars to the present day. Many of us will have fond memories of displays of these models in Kelvingrove and in the Transport Museum  and they are now in the Riverside Museum and in Glasgow museums resource centre. Not only did we hear of the story of the models and of the original ships but also of the people who made them. They were skilled craftsmen.

There will be an opportunity to visit GMRC and see more models in February 2019.

                                          Ss Rangitane. © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection

Mount Stuart

Our autumn excursion took us to Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute, the grand Victorian mansion of the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

After a slightly inauspicious start - our normal pick up point had to be changed due to filming in the centre of Glasgow - thirty Friends enjoyed a trip to Wemyss Bay and a sail across the water to Rothesay.

On arrival at Mount Stuart we split into two, one group having lunch whilst the other had a guided tour of the house.

The Marble Hall, built of Sicilian marble and alabaster and soaring to a height of eighty feet, is a magnificent if somewhat overpowering sight.

Our guide led us through the history of the house which mirrors the 3rd Marquess’s interests in astronomy and astrology, evident in many of the rooms and decoration.

Perhaps we could have done with more time to study the fine family portraits by Ramsay, Raeburn and an atypical one by Thomas Lawrence. 

Throughout the tour we came face to face with the art installation “The Power of Twelve” by Christine Borland which reflects the use of the house as a naval hospital during the first world war and some of us braved the sudden rain shower to visit part of the installation in the swimming pool in the garden. 

Time for a cuppa in Rothesay before boarding the ferry and back to Glasgow. A long day but well worth it, thanks to the organisation by Marion Maudsley and our helpful driver, Sean.

Childrens Art Competition

Every Autumn, we are delighted that the annual prize giving for the Children’s Art Competition takes place at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The competition is open to children of nursery, primary and secondary school ages. Bronze, Silver and Gold medals are awarded in each category.  This year the judges were Frank Quitely, renowned comic artist, and Gillian Kyle, designer of Scottish branded houseware. Both commended the high standard of work they  had to judge.  Gold medallist  Emil Enslein-Timmerman was presented with the Robert Logan award and Gold medallist Hannah Leyden with the senior T J Honeymen award.

FoGM is proud to donate the medals and to support the evening reception.

To see the award winning pictures visit http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/learning

Gold medal winner, Emil Enslein Timmermann

Gold medal winner, Hannah Leydon